Do you need a break?
Many of us do, but the real question is, “Will you take time for one?” Those of us alive today are living at a faster pace than any human beings who’ve ever walked the planet.
Advertisers bombard us by telling us all what we cannot live without and how it’s now on sale. Tech gadgets tell us how we can all “save” time, but as soon as we save time we find more things to fill our time with. This often raises our expectations about how much we can accomplish with the time we have actually have left.
Do You Feel Like You Are on a Treadmill?
It’s like being on a treadmill and slowly but consistently increasing the speed. Sure, you’re running faster. You’re getting it done. But at some point, you just want to get off the darn treadmill.
When Is It Time to Take a Break?
These six signs listed below should help:
- You are busy, but not productive. – You know what I’m talking about. You’re doing stuff, just not the most important stuff. You’re moving, but not progressing. If that’s you, take a break. Refocus. Restart.
- You are constantly irritable. – If your attitude towards work is always sour no matter what, there’s something simmering beneath the surface. Anger—including the quiet, passive-aggressive type is usually a sign that a boundary has been crossed. Resentment emerges when we don’t speak up, ask for help or make a change.
- You’ve just accomplished a big goal. – Research shows that our energy is depleted after the accomplishment of a big goal. We are more effective at future goals when we give our minds and bodies a chance to recover so that our energy is replenished for the next big task at hand. Just finished a major project? Celebrate. Relax. Rejuvenate. Then move on to the next big thing.
- Your body aches. – Your body will give you warning signs. Don’t ignore them. Chronic back or neck pain, headaches, and fatigue are just a few of the ways your body is trying to talk to you. Listen. If you don’t, there could be consequences down the road.
- You’re constantly thinking about work. – If you are dreaming about projects, deadlines and that pesky co-worker or client, it’s a definite sign that some down time is overdue.
- You haven’t had a break in awhile. – Even if you don’t have any of the five signs listed above, you still need regular breaks. If you haven’t taken one recently, get busy! Or rather, do the opposite. Ten minutes every couple of hours a day of down time every week, and a vacation or personal days for fun time every few months will make you far more productive than working nonstop. And you’ll be happier, too.
So, What Should You Do?
Give yourself a break. Schedule it right now. Spring or otherwise.
Love to hear from you in the comment section below! Are you going to take a break this week–even a small one–from work? If not, why?
